Sabres finish road trip on high note

After a 2-2 start to their first road trip of the season, the Sabres looked to conclude it on a high note before heading back home, and they did just that. For the second time this year, they won back-to-back games, winning 4-2 over the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center.

Buffalo concluded their night by killing off a crucial Conor Sheary penalty, and an empty net goal by Patrik Berglund that sealed the deal for the Sabres on this night.

They got a little bit of help from Johan Larsson, who prevented a potential tying goal from crossing the line.

Johan Larsson getting the major save assist here. That puck was slowly on its way in during that final minute PP scramble. pic.twitter.com/78F0bcfGDp

The Sabres spoiled the great night for Anaheim fans, who witnessed a great ceremony for Paul Kariya. The Ducks raised his No. 9 banner to the rafters as the team sported their classic uniforms.

Despite Linus Ullmark having a second solid outing in a win against L.A. yesterday, Carter Hutton earned the nod and recorded his third win of the year in his seventh start for Buffalo. He faced 28 shots and made 26 saves against a red-hot Ducks team.

This matchup started with both teams getting scoring chances early, with Jeff Skinner earning good chances early for Buffalo, but Ryan Miller stood tall for Anaheim throughout the game. Although Buffalo was getting chances out of the gate, Sam Steel broke the tie, putting the Ducks on the board late in the first and gave Anaheim added momentum.

In the second, the shooting advantage continued with the team earning ample scoring opportunities. However, they did not capitalize on those, and ultimately hurt them late in the period. With six and a half minutes left in the second, Kiefer Sherwood scored the second goal for Anaheim, further padding their lead as the game further progressed. However, it further fueled the Sabres in this game.

After struggling to take advantage of ample opportunities, Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner scored two goals 1:28 apart late in the second for the Sabres. Okposo scored his first of the year on the power play, which cut the deficit in half, and Skinner responded with his fifth goal to tie the game at two after 40 minutes of play.

Buffalo maintained the advantage in shots on goal throughout the game, outshooting Anaheim 45-28, which finally resulted in goals late in the second and third. The physicality came from both teams, with the Sabres and Ducks combining for 27 hits, as well as Zach Bogosian getting in his third fight in a third straight game, signaling the presence he has carried since his return. The power play finally heated up when it was needed most, with two goals on four opportunities in the game.

After Mittlestadt drew a tripping penalty, Rasmus Ristolainen scored his first goal of the season, off assists from Okposo and Reinhart, which gave the Sabres a 3-2 advantage with just under four minutes completed in the third.

The Sabres will finally return home for their first game at the KeyBank Center since October 11, when they take on the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night as they look to make it three straight wins.